memorial day

michigan is known for their many lakes. unfortunately, we have not really taken advantage of this fact. most people around here have cottages or go "up north" to their lake houses during the weekends of the spring/summer months. but with jimmy's hectic work schedule, we can't really do that. BUT luckily, we don't live too far from several small lakes. and i just recently realized how much jimmy enjoys being on a boat and fishing. i think it brings back many fond childhood memories for him. so, we decided to spend memorial day on a pontoon boat with his family. the little lake near our home was only like 10 minutes away from our house! and the renting of the boat was fairly cheap. jimmy was excited to go fishing with addison for the first time. and addison was beyond thrilled for this little excursion. she had been anticipating it for days! we didn't have any fishing gear so the day before, the three of us set out to this big outdoor store and bought poles, hooks, weights, bobbers, tackle box (a kids spiderman one that is... addison picked it out), hats, coolers, etc, etc! i was absolutely amazed at how many different kinds/types of weights and hooks that are offered for fishing! i mean, don't they generally all do the same thing??? anyway, i packed sandwiches, salads, chips, fruit, drinks, cookies for our outing. and jimmy prepped all the poles and got everything ready. he was so excited. we were all set! here are some photos of our day...

we're out on a BOAT! peace, y'all!



jimmy's cousin, sung



and his "huge" fish



bring it on home, sista!!



yup, i think we've got one!



a father/daughter moment



mrs. lim and my mom-in-law















addie doing what she calls "the dj". i think she's scratching. haha!

dance class

addison was enrolled in a dance class called "dance baby dance" since january. it was once a week for 45 minutes and for ages 3-4. of course, it was very informal and more just for fun. but she did learn a few things like plie, releve, tondu, arabesque, etc. but mostly, they just worked with different props and ran around the room. they just ended the class this past friday with a little casual recital for the parents. it is such a cute sight seeing 7 little 3-4 year olds in the same little costume!


my little ballerina



the circus routine






the bean bag dance



taking a breather



showing us how they balance



"whooaaa!"



there we go!



addison's version of arabesque



umm, wrong way, addie...



doing the hula routine









and the grand finale... the twinkle little star routine












yay!! bravo!!!

face painting

addie and i had a fun-filled saturday. first, we painted some pottery at this little place in the morning. our next stop was the library to pick up some books. and then we went to this little local event called "kids day at the park". they had police, firefighters, and EMT ambulances there and stuff so the kids can see them up close. they also had a bounce house which we did not go in since addie's not really a fan of those. it was a gloomy day so the turn out for the event was pretty sad. but they did have a face painting booth there (which is pretty much the sole reason why we went) and the woman doing it was actually one of addie's dance friend's mom. so we got a little one done...






it was too bad because after the park we have to come home for nap time....in which i told her we probably have to wipe the face paint off so it doesn't get on her pillow and sheets. she was disappointed, but understood. she certainly did not want to "ruin" (as she called it) her bed and her dolly.

and to cap off our day, after nap, we had a 1st birthday party to attend to. the party was great.. they had a cotton candy machine AND there was face painter there too! addison was thrilled. not only once, but twice in one day! though this face painter was a bit different and more elaborate than our earlier one. she was doing like whole face stuff! i was thinking in my head... that's fine for other kids, but i don't know if i want addison with her whole face painted! a little one like earlier would be just fine. i better stick around close and make sure she doesn't pick out one that's kind of obnoxious. well, i stepped away for a moment and came back.. but i was too late! she as already sitting the chair and the artist was already doing her thing. addison picked out a butterfly. initially, i kept having visions of mike tyson and his face tattoo in my head! but it ended up looking really cute on her i must say. but she could be wearing a potato sack and i'd still think she was the cutest little thing. :)

trip to st. louis

so we spent about 5 days visiting st. louis recently. and as always, it was a great time. i love being back home. my sister was home as well. it's not often that we are all there together. so it was really nice. we celebrated a few occasions... my sister's birthday, mother's day and my parent's anniversary. even though i'm a grown adult with a family of my own, i love being with my parents and sister. there is always that familiar sense of security and comfort and ease... that feeling of complete unconditional love and support. they still make me feel like i'm so special and they still encourage me by telling me how proud they are of me... even though i'm 34! it bums me out that i will always have to fly to see them. but i'm thankful for what i have and that they are not too far away.

addison had a great time during our stay too. we had a playdate with my one of my high school friends and her sons, played at a nearby park, got together with her cousins for a bbq, went to a petting farm, went out to eat, played a lot with new toys, etc. unfortunately, i didn't get to capture everything that we did. i didn't bring my camera. just had my cell phone. but here are a few activities i did get...

she discovered a couple new games like memory and the board game, candyland... which by the way, she was obsessed with! candyland is the perfect boardgame for kids her age. and literally, candyland was on her brain morning, noon and night! she wanted to play it ALL the time! i don't know why or how i didn't get a picture of that game. but here she is playing memory with "ti-ti".




cruisin' with garfield ("the cat with the plaid hat" as addie called him)...







at grant's farm... oh my gosh, how cute is this baby goat??!!! my maternal vibes were going crazy. i wanted to cradle the thing in my arms!



oh my gosh, how cute are they???!!



"i want to pet him!"






these little newborn goats were adorable, but a few of the older babies get a little TOO excited when you walk in the pen with that bottle of milk. one was trying to suckle on my cell phone while i was trying to pry another one sucking on addie's shirt! hence this picture...




and then just being plain goofy in the car... i love the sequence of these pictures. she was playing with her hands/fingers (she recently discovered crossing her fingers) and then she kept wanting me to take pictures of her. she'd say, "take another one!" and then she'd do a different pose. it was cracking me up!







this one looks like some sort of kiddie gang sign!

new bike

now that the weather's finally warming up, we're finally able to play outside! yay! but i realized that addison is outgrowing all of her little vehicles. all her little motor bikes are the kind that you just push with your feet and not pedal... and her knees are starting to almost touch the ground. so we made a trip to toys r us... to find an appropriate bike for her. i can't believe she can ride an actual bike now (well, with training wheels)! and it came together so we didn't have to assemble anything! thank goodness for that because the last time i assembled one of her trikes, i totally screwed it up. i accidentally did something wrong so it was impossible to pedal and when you finally do get to pedalling, it squeeks like crazy! must be a manufacturer's defect! ;)

here she is on her new bike...




c'mon henry, race ya!